30 by 30

Shortly after we moved to Maine, Michael and I, bright-eyed and eager at 22 years old, wrote our first 30 by 30 list. We’ve revisited the list twice in the eight years since we made it, because plain and simple, when you’re 22, you don’t know what life will look like when you’re 30. As our priorities have changed, we’ve realized that things like spending more time with Orvis or traveling to new places were of a greater priority to us and our relationship than some of the other, more material items on our earlier lists. That being said, we’ve left a few gems indicative of our younger selves – like “own a Kitchenaid mixer” – just for a few smiles.

We’ve mentioned our 30 by 30 list on the site in the past, and we thought that since 2016 is the year we both turn 30, we should finally share our list on Map & Menu. If anything, it will hold us a bit more accountable, right? We’re cheating just a bit and giving ourselves until we’re no longer 30 to tie up any loose ends, and boy, are there more than a few. I guess we’ll have a busy year!

Meredith & Michael’s 30 by 30

1. Own a houseApril 20102. Plant a gardenJuly 20093. Buy a Kitchenaid mixerNovember 20084. Visit the Pacific NorthwestAugust 20115. Buy new carsSeptember 20106. Establish a workout routineOngoing7. Visit the White Mountains with OrvisSeptember 20088. Paddle to Richmond IslandSummer 2013
9. Go surfing
10. Practice a foreign language11. Go on a ski tripJanuary 201612. Update our kitchenNovember 2014
13. Attend a cooking course14. Extend the patioNovember 201215. Catch a game at FenwayJuly 201616. Invest in good furnitureOngoing17. Plant a treeApril 201318. Plan a joint 30th birthday tripCarmel + Big Sur in April 201619. Go sailing in Casco Bay togetherAugust 2016
20. Visit Nantucket21. Visit Canada with Orvis October 2017
22. Spend a night in all six New England states (New Hampshire is left!)
23. Make an Orvis photo album24. Return to EuropeFrance in 2012 + Scotland in 201425. Take Orvis to Bald Head IslandFebruary 201526. Visit a wine regionSonoma in 201327. Run the Beach to Beacon2010, 2013, 201528. Visit museums in new citiesOngoing29. Own works of original artOngoing30. Get marriedNovember 2014

I used to giggle when I read it on the side of your refrigerator!
To you,both, at times, I know you thought it was not attainable!
I am so proud of your list, your drive, your passions, and your uniqueness!
Congrats!
This year will be busy for you!
Maintain your good health and the world is at your fingertips!
Wonderful images! So inspiring!